An Indian expert on China said that no matter the outcome of next year’s presidential and legislative elections, New Delhi would be willing to deepen cultural and economical ties with Taiwan, but would adhere to established policy and not develop political ties.
Srikanth Kondapalli — a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi who was in Taiwan for research purposes during the previous presidential campaign — said Indian academia is interested in developments to do with the Jan. 16 elections, including the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) move to switch its presidential candidate, the policies of different candidates and a resurfacing of the “southbound policy.”
The southbound policy, first adopted by the government in the 1990s, sought to extend Taipei’s political influence in Southeast Asia through economic development in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei. The policy gradually lost any effectiveness after China’s financial reform of the late 1990s.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) last month said at a press conference that if her party wins the election, the nation would initiate a “new southbound policy.”
India would eagerly welcome expanded trade policies with ASEAN and India, Srikanth said.
Srikanth, who works in the university’s Center of East Asian Studies, said that Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s concept of “Make in India” would offer great opportunities for Taiwanese companies to invest in India, adding that Foxconn has already started scouting for investments.
“Make in India” is an initiative by the Modi government to encourage Indian and multinational firms to manufacture their goods in India.
“There are many opportunities for economic and cultural partnerships between Taiwan and India,” Srikanth said, adding that frequent visits of art troupes between the two sides, as well as the establishment of Buddhist and Indian temples, have improved bilateral ties.
The democratic governments on either side ensures a deepening of relations between Taipei and New Delhi, Srikanth said
He said he in confident that there would not be a withering of ties.
However, despite the optimistic attitude the Indian government holds toward deepening economic and cultural ties with Taiwan, New Delhi would not consider establishing official diplomatic ties, Srikanth said.
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